10 Different Ways to Say Hello In Arabic

Arabic, a language rich in history and culture, is spoken by millions of people across various regions. While many colloquial Arabic dialects exist, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the form most commonly used in formal contexts, including media, literature, and international communication. 

One of the first steps in learning Arabic is understanding how to greet someone. Saying "hello" in Modern Standard Arabic involves more than just a word; it carries cultural significance and reflects social norms.

This article deals with the basic Arabic greetings that can be used in almost all situations, like “hello” in English, “hallo” in German, “ciao” in Italian, “hola” in Spanish, etc. These European greetings are merely intended to be basic salutations.

However, in Arabic, there is no term that exactly corresponds to the English "hello.". Every Arabic salutation carries an additional meaning associated, such as a wish for well-being, peace, welfare, enjoyment of time, etc.

Therefore, this article explores 10 various commonly used ways to say “hello” in MSA, some other alternative greetings that can be used in different times, and the occurrences of the basic salutation in the holy Qur'an.

10 Most Common Hello in Arabic Greetings

1. May peace be upon you!

 السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ 

/assalāmu ʿalaykum/

Meaning and origin: When you say  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ , you convey your desire that the addressee be in a safe and secure position. You not only greet him, but you also wish him peace.

Usage: From the beginning of Islam to the present, this is the traditional greeting used throughout the Islamic world.

Linguistic background: 

• The first noun  السَّلَامُ /assalām/ is the subject, and it means peace.

•  عَلَيْكُمْ /alaykum/ is a prepositional phrase that implies "upon you." Arabs prefer to say it to any form of addressee, singular, dual, plural, masculine, or feminine, even if it is conjugated with plural masculine.

• However, in classical Arabic, it should be conjugated as follows: 

  •  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ assalāmu ʿalayka - For singular masculine.

  •  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكِ assalāmu ʿalayki - For singular feminine.

  •  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْك assalāmu ʿalayk - For singular regardless the addressee’s gender.

  •  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمَا assalāmu ʿalaykumā - For dual.

  •  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ assalāmu ʿalaykum - For plural masculine.

  •  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُنّ assalāmu ʿalaykuunna - For plural masculine.

Response: The simplest and shortest answer to  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ is just to say  وَعَلَيْكُمْ السَّلَامُ /waʿalaykumu ssalām/ meaning: same to you! The literal meaning is: And may peace be upon you too.

2. May peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you!

 السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ الله 

/assalāmu ʿalaykum waraħmatu-llâh/

Usage: This greeting is an expanded variation of the preceding one. It is more suitable in written forms, emails, or in common speeches.

Response: The appropriate response to this greeting is:

Same to you!

(or literally: And may peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you too!).

 وَعَلَيْكُمْ السَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ الله 

/waʿalaykumu ssalāmu waraħmatu- llâh/

This expanded response would be a must from an Islamic view because Allah said in the Quran:

 وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ 

(4:86) When you are greeted with a salutation then return it with a better one, or at least the same.

3. May peace, Allah’s mercy, and His blessings be upon you!

 السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وبَرَكَاتُه 

/assalāmu ʿalaykum waraħmatu-llâhi wabarakātuh/

Usage: This greeting is the complete one. It’s also more suitable in written forms, email, oral speeches, or lessons.

Response: The response to this greeting should also be complete, as mentioned above.

 وَعَلَيْكُمْ السَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وبَرَكَاتُه 

/waʿalaykumu ssalāmu waraħmatu- llâhi wabarakātuh/

4. May Allah’s peace be upon you!

 سَلَام اللهِ عَلَيْكُم 

/salāmu llâhi ʿalaykum/

Usage: This short version is very common in religious speeches. 

Response: The response could be one of the above-mentioned responses.

5. Peace

 سَلَام 

/salām/

Usage: This is the shortest version. It’s not very commonly used in MSA, but it's the correct classical one, and it is frequently used in most colloquial Arabic dialects when leaving or ending a phone call. Also, the Qur’an mentions that it’s the greeting used among good people in heaven and the greeting of angels as well.

Response: One can respond to this greeting with the same greeting  سَلام /salām/, with the accusative form  سَلامًا /salāman/ or any other welcome responses. 

6. Welcome!

(Literally: may it be appropriate!)

 أَهْلًا 

 /ahlan/

Meaning: The most common and widely used greeting in MSA is  أهلًا /ahlan/, which translates to "Hello" or "Hi" in English, but the literal translation is (may this place be appropriate for you!). This greeting is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Usage:  أهلًا can be used in a variety of contexts, whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, greeting friends, or addressing colleagues. It’s an all-purpose greeting that’s friendly and approachable.

Response: One can respond to this greeting with the same greeting  أَهْلًا /ahlan/, or any other welcome responses. 

7. Welcome to…

(Literally: may it be appropriate for you!)

 أَهْلًا بِكَ في ... 

/ahlan bika fī/

Meaning and usage: This is a detailed variation of the following greeting. It depends on the emphatic prepositional phrase with the pronoun related to the addressee,  أَهْلًا بِك. Also, it optionally comes with the Arabic preposition  في meaning (in), which implies here (to). E.g.  أَهْلا بكَ في دِمَشْق , welcome to Damascus!  أَهْلًا بِكُم في بَرْنَامَجِنَا، Welcome to our program.

This addition can also be conjugated as follows: 

•  أَهْلًا بِكَ - ahlan bika - for singular masculine.

•  أَهْلًا بِكِ - ahlan biki - for singular feminine.

•  أَهْلًا بِك - ahlan bik - for singular, regardless the gender (more commonly used).

•  أَهْلًا بِكُمَا - ahlan bikumā - for dual.

•  أَهْلًا بِكُمْ - ahlan bikum - for plural masculine.

•  أَهْلًا بِكُنَّ - ahlan bikunna - for plural feminine.

8. Hello and welcome!

(Literally: may it be appropriate and comfortable)

 أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا 

/ahlan wa sahlan/

Meaning and usage: This phrase adds a welcoming tone and is often used to greet guests or people entering your home or office. The phrase " أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا " is a bit more formal than just " أهلا " and conveys a deeper sense of hospitality and warmth.

 

Response: The appropriate response can be the same greeting  أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا /ahlan wa sahlan/, or any other welcome responses.

9. Welcome!

(Literally: may it be spacious!)

 مَرْحَبًا 

/marħaban/

Another widely recognized greeting in MSA is " مَرْحَبًا " (Marḥabā), meaning "Welcome" or "Hello." It’s slightly less formal than " أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا " but still appropriate for most situations.

Usage: " مَرْحَبًا " is frequently used in everyday interactions and is suitable for both formal and informal occasions. It’s a friendly and neutral greeting that you can use when meeting someone new or catching up with friends.

Here also, it’s common to optionally add a prepositional phrase with a pronoun related to the addressee,  مرحبا بك. This addition can also be conjugated as follows: 

•  مَرْحَبًا بِكَ - marħban bika - for singular masculine.

•  مَرْحَبًا بِكِ - marħban biki - for singular feminine.

•  مَرْحَبًا بِك - marħban bik - for singular, regardless the gender (more commonly used).

•  مَرْحَبًا بِكُمَا - marħban bikumā - for dual.

•  مَرْحَبًا بِكُمْ - marħban bikum - for plural masculine.

•  مَرْحَبًا بِكُنَّ - marħban bikunna - for plural feminine.

Response: The appropriate response can be the same greeting  مَرْحَبًا /marħban/, or any other welcome responses.

10. Hello and welcome! 

(Literally: may it be appropriate, comfortable and spacious!)

 أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا وَمَرْحَبًا! 

/ahlan wasahlan wamarħaban/

Usage: This expresses a deeper sense of coziness and welcome in a more formal and theatrical manner.

 Hello in Arabic: Different Times During the Day

In addition to " أَهْلًا " and " مَرْحَبًا ," MSA offers several other greetings that can be used depending on the context and time of day.

1. Good morning

 صَبَاحُ الْخَيْر 

/ŝabāħ ul-khayr/

Usage: This phrase is frequently used in the morning to greet someone. 

Response: The standard reply is " صَبَاحُ النُّور " /ŝabāħ un-nūr/, meaning good morning, while the literal meaning is "Morning of light."

2. Good evening 

 مساء الخير 

/masa` ul-khayr/

Usage: Used in the evening.

Response: This greeting is frequently met with the response " مَسَاءُ النُّور " /masa` un-nūr, which literally means "Evening of light."

Hello Occurrences in Quran

The term "Salam" ( سلام ), meaning "peace," holds significant importance in the Quran, appearing in various contexts to convey messages of peace, safety, and blessings. Below are some notable occurrences:

1. Surah Al-An'am (6:54):

 وَإِذَا جَاءَكَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ 

"And when those who believe in Our signs come to you, say, 'Peace be upon you (Salamun Alaikum).'."

Usage: This verse teaches the Prophet Muhammad to greet believers with "Salam" as a sign of peace and divine mercy.

2. Surah Maryam (19:15):

 وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا 

"And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive."

Usage: In this verse, "Salam" is used to describe divine peace and blessings bestowed upon Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) throughout his life stages.

3. Surah Al-Furqan (25:63):

 وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَـٰمًا 

"And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace."

Usage: Here, "Salam" reflects the demeanor of true believers, who respond with peace even when confronted with hostility.

4. Surah Al-Qasas (28:55):

 وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا ٱللَّغْوَ أَعْرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا لَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ لَا نَبْتَغِى ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ 

"And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, 'For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace be upon you; we seek not the ignorant.'"

Usage: In this verse, "Salam" signifies the peaceful and non-confrontational stance of believers when dealing with ignorance.

5. Surah Ya-Sin (36:58):

 سَلَامٌ قَوْلًا مِّن رَّبٍّ رَّحِيمٍ 

"Peace! A word from a Merciful Lord."

Usage: This verse describes the greeting of peace from Allah to the believers in Paradise, highlighting the ultimate reward of eternal peace.

In summary, "Salam" in the Quran is a versatile term that encapsulates the ideals of peace, safety, and divine mercy. It serves as both a greeting and a principle, guiding interpersonal interactions and offering a glimpse of the tranquility promised in the hereafter.

Cultural Context and Etiquette

Understanding how to say hello in Arabic requires more than just memorizing phrases. It’s essential to grasp the cultural nuances:

• Respect and Formality: Arabic culture places a strong emphasis on respect, especially in greetings. While " أَهْلًا " is universally appropriate, using " السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ " in formal situations or with unfamiliar people can show additional respect.

• Gender Considerations: In more conservative societies, greetings may vary slightly depending on the gender of the person being addressed, but " أَهْلًا " and “ مَرْحَبًا ” are generally acceptable for everyone.

• Body Language: Accompanying your greeting with appropriate body language, such as a slight bow or placing your hand over your heart, can enhance the respect conveyed.

Conclusion

Learning to greet someone in Modern Standard Arabic not only helps you communicate more effectively but also shows a deep respect for the culture and traditions of Arabic-speaking communities. Whether you use the versatile " أَهْلًا ," the warm " أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا ," or the welcoming " مَرْحَبًا ," you’ll be making a positive impression. Understanding these greetings and their cultural significance allows you to engage more meaningfully with Arabic speakers and embrace the rich linguistic heritage of the Arab world.

Explore our comprehensive vocabulary lists to expand your word bank and unlock new ways to express yourself. And for those seeking a more personalized approach, Madinah Arabic also offers one-on-one Arabic classes .